Spring break pandemic style, one more time.

Our K-12 schools will observe spring break this year, while most colleges won’t. A new study shows traveling spring breakers in 2020 had a definite effect on the spread of COVID-19. 

The CDC is clear about current travel guidelines: 

Looking for other options?

Pick a place. Any place! The internet is your oyster. Smithsonian Magazine’s list of virtual tours is rich in art and landmarks, while Thrillist’s collection ranges from underwater exploration to views from someone else’s window. Include a paid virtual adventure in the agenda: Airbnb provides connections to uncover Pompeii with an archaeologist or make Mexican street tacos with a pro chef; Beyonder offers a virtual platypus tour. In today’s six-degrees-of-separation world, it’s likely you know someone who lives in, has been to, or knows someone in that destination who could video chat and send items of interest via snail-mail. Top off your voyage by cooking an authentic dish.

Many charitable organizations are hurting due to the pandemic. Needs are greater and donations fewer. 

Try something daring with a project that doesn’t fit into a weekend. Paint a mural. Knit hats and baby blankets for a hospital’s NICU. Build a birdhouse, treehouse, or tiny library. 

Actual travel

Choose travel that has minimal contact with people not living in your household. Instead of flying to crowded hotspots, drive to naturally socially distanced locales like state and national parks. Spring break may not be warm here, but the right gear makes any outdoor activity enjoyable. Camping in the off-season means loads of space; cooking over a campfire is novel and budget friendly. Sites like Tentrr go beyond the standard campground.